What is MEXC? The Zero-Fee Crypto Exchange
MEXC is a major centralized cryptocurrency exchange (CEX) founded in Singapore in 2018. As of January 2026, it holds the #2 spot trading market share globally (behind Binance) with over 40 million users across 170+ countries.
What sets MEXC apart is its industry-leading zero fee spot trading policy. Since December 2025, all spot trading pairs have been completely free (0% maker and taker fees), saving users billions in trading costs annually.
Key Metrics (January 2026):
- Users: 40M+ active traders
- Global Ranking: #2 in spot trading (11% market share)
- Listed Coins: 2,017+ cryptocurrencies
- Spot Trading Pairs: 2,448+ pairs
- Futures Pairs: 1,500+ (industry's most)
- Max Leverage: Up to 500x
- Funding Interval: Every 8 hours (00:00, 08:00, 16:00 UTC)
- Spot Fees: Maker 0% / Taker 0%
- Futures Fees: Maker 0% / Taker 0.02%
- KYC: Optional for basic trading
Key Specifications
Platform Type: Centralized Exchange (CEX)
Headquarters: Seychelles (founded in Singapore)
Trading Options: Spot, USDT-M Futures, USDC-M Futures, Coin-M Futures
Maximum Leverage: 500x (highest in the industry)
Deposit Methods: Crypto only (USDT, USDC, BTC, ETH, etc.)
KYC Levels: None (10 BTC/day), Primary (80 BTC/day), Advanced (200 BTC/day)
Supported Languages: English, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more
MEXC's Competitive Advantages
MEXC stands out in several key areas that make it attractive for traders seeking low costs and diverse trading options.
Zero Fee Spot Trading:
Since December 2025, MEXC offers 0% maker and 0% taker fees on all 2,448+ spot trading pairs. This is a significant advantage over competitors who typically charge 0.1% per trade.
Largest Coin Selection:
With 2,017+ listed cryptocurrencies, MEXC offers the widest selection in the industry. New projects are often listed on MEXC weeks or months before appearing on other major exchanges.
500x Leverage:
MEXC offers the industry's highest leverage at 500x, compared to 125x on Binance and Bybit. This allows for extreme capital efficiency (though with proportionally higher risk).
MX Token Benefits:
- 20% fee discount (50% with 500+ MX)
- Access to Kickstarter & Launchpad events
- Governance voting rights
- Quarterly token burns (deflationary)
Fee Structure
Spot Trading (All 2,448 Pairs):
- Maker Fee: 0%
- Taker Fee: 0%
- VIP Requirements: None (free for all users)
Futures Trading (All 1,500+ Pairs):
- Maker Fee: 0%
- Taker Fee: 0.02%
Fee Comparison vs Competitors:
| Exchange | Spot Maker | Spot Taker | Futures Taker |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEXC | 0% | 0% | 0.02% |
| Binance | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.05% |
| Bybit | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.055% |
| Coinbase | 0.4% | 0.6% | N/A |
How to Register
Step 1: Create Account
- Visit MEXC Official Site
- Click "Sign Up"
- Enter email or phone number
- Set password (8+ characters, alphanumeric)
- Enter verification code
Step 2: Enable 2FA (Recommended)
- Go to Account Settings → Security
- Enable Google Authenticator
- Scan QR code and enter 6-digit code
Step 3: KYC Verification (Optional)
| Level | Daily Withdrawal | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| None | 10 BTC | None |
| Primary | 80 BTC | ID + Selfie |
| Advanced | 200 BTC | ID + Video + Address Proof |
How to Deposit
MEXC accepts crypto deposits only. Recommended deposit methods:
Recommended Networks:
| Asset | Network | Fees | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDT | TRC20 | Lowest | Medium |
| USDT | Arbitrum | Low | Fast |
| USDT | BSC | Low | Fast |
| XRP | Ripple | Low | Fastest |
Deposit Steps:
- Go to "Assets" → "Deposit"
- Select cryptocurrency (e.g., USDT)
- Select correct network (must match sending network!)
- Copy address and send funds
- Wait for blockchain confirmations
Warning: Sending to wrong network may result in permanent loss of funds.
How to Trade
Spot Trading:
- Go to "Trade" → "Spot"
- Select trading pair (e.g., BTC/USDT)
- Choose order type (Limit, Market, Stop-Limit)
- Enter amount and confirm
Futures Trading:
- Go to "Derivatives" → "USDT-M Futures"
- Select trading pair (1,500+ available)
- Set leverage (up to 500x)
- Choose Cross or Isolated margin
- Select Long or Short position
- Enter amount and confirm
Funding Rate Schedule: Every 8 hours (00:00, 08:00, 16:00 UTC)
Check MEXC Live Funding Rates →
Important Risks & Warnings
Regulatory Issues (2023-2026)
MEXC has received warnings from multiple regulators:
- Canada: BC Securities Commission warning
- Austria/Germany: Unlicensed operation warnings
- Estonia: License revoked (November 2023)
- Hong Kong: SFC warning (March 2024)
- South Korea: App store removal order (April 2025)
Fund Freezing Reports
Multiple users reported account freezes in 2025-2026. Recommendations:
- Complete KYC verification proactively
- Don't keep all assets on MEXC
- Split large withdrawals into smaller amounts
Security Positives
- No major hacks in 2024-2026
- Hacken audit (May 2025): No critical vulnerabilities
- Proof of Reserves: 100%+ for major assets (USDT 115%, BTC 118%)
- $100M Guardian Fund for user protection
Comparison with Other Exchanges
| Feature | MEXC | Bybit | Binance | Hyperliquid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | CEX | CEX | CEX | DEX |
| Spot Fees | 0% | 0.1% | 0.1% | - |
| Futures Taker | 0.02% | 0.055% | 0.05% | 0.025% |
| Max Leverage | 500x | 125x | 125x | 50x |
| Coins | 2,000+ | 300+ | 350+ | 170+ |
| KYC | Optional | Required | Required | None |
| Regulatory Risk | High | Medium | Low | Low |
Delta Neutral Strategy Use
MEXC is highly advantageous for delta neutral strategies:
- Zero spot fees minimize long-side costs
- Zero futures maker fees reduce short-side costs
- 1,500+ futures pairs offer the most arbitrage opportunities
- 8-hour funding provides standard settlement schedule
Recommended Approach:
Use MEXC for the widest pair selection, but diversify holdings across multiple exchanges to mitigate regulatory and operational risks.
Summary
MEXC offers the industry's best fee structure (zero spot fees) and widest coin selection (2,000+), making it attractive for cost-conscious traders. However, users should be aware of regulatory risks and fund freezing reports.
Best For:
- Traders seeking lowest possible fees
- Users wanting early access to new listings
- Altcoin traders needing diverse selection
- High-leverage traders (use with caution)
Caution Advised:
- Users in regulated jurisdictions
- Those prioritizing regulatory compliance
- Users who experienced freezing issues
Bottom Line: Unbeatable on fees and selection, but manage risk by diversifying across exchanges.
Delta-Neutral Strategy Impact
MEXC offers zero spot trading fees and zero futures maker fees, minimizing costs for delta neutral strategies. With 1,500+ futures pairs (industry's most), it provides the widest selection for arbitrage opportunities. However, due to regulatory risks and fund freezing reports, we recommend diversifying assets across multiple exchanges rather than keeping all funds on MEXC.